Üsküdar University, with its projects based on a social innovation model developed with a vision of social contribution and its social entrepreneurship approach, visited the Ministry of Interior in Ankara. At the strategic program where public, academic, and civil society stakeholders, playing an influential role in Turkey's development, convened, Üsküdar University's projects garnered significant appreciation for their tangible impacts and sustainable approaches, marking a notable achievement.
Projects offering innovative solutions to social problems and focusing on disadvantaged segments of society provide unique social contribution models in many areas such as youth, women, children, family, old age, disaster preparedness, and post-disaster psychosocial support.
The initiatives developed under the leadership of the university not only produce solutions but also leave lasting impacts aimed at strengthening the social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Contributions to Turkey's social development goals were discussed
Within the scope of the program, the contributions of projects such as Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan’s “Sustainable Independent Life Protection (YAŞAMKOR)” Project, and projects prepared under the coordination of Dr. Ayhan Özşahin, Social Contribution Representative of the Faculty of Medicine, including “Disaster-Proof Households,” “Village by Village Rumelia,” “Just Call,” and the Malatya-based “365 Days Family,” to Turkey's social development goals were explained.
The projects carried out under the academic consultancy of Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and the project cycle management mentorship of Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, Social Contribution Coordinator, stood out in the promotional and cooperation meetings held in Ankara with their unique scientifically-based methods, interdisciplinary approach, and direct impact on the field.
Projects aimed to be elevated to national dissemination and policy development level
During these meetings, new cooperation opportunities arose with the Hayat Boşluk Kabul Etmez Derneği, chaired by Dr. Mustafa Uzun, member of the Presidential Health Policies Council; the Değerli Hayatlar Derneği (DEHA-DER), chaired by Mine Yeter; and the Türk Dünyası Çocuk Vakfı, whose Founding Chairman and Board of Trustees Member is Samsun Deputy Prof. Dr. İlyas Topasakal. Concurrently, the projects aimed to be elevated to the national dissemination and policy development level.
In a meeting with Selim Serkan Ercan, Vice President of KOSGEB, one of the public institutions visited in Ankara, the need and cooperation possibilities for establishing a 'TEKMER' at Üsküdar University were evaluated.
Viewed as an exemplary academic model
These initiatives drew attention as an indicator that universities can be effective on the ground not only as centers of knowledge production but also as active solution partners in the social development of society. Üsküdar University's social innovation vision left a strong mark in Ankara as an exemplary academic model in achieving Turkey's Sustainable Development Goals.
